Increase Your Productivity by Finding Time for Quiet

Distractions are everywhere today, and quiet is hard to come by. It’s a fact of life in the 21st century.

We live in an age of constant connection, instant access and googling everything. And as wonderful as that can be, sometimes don’t you just feel besieged with task, choices, opportunities, and information?

The on-line marketing expert Connie Ragen Green once wrote: “Choose time every day that is designated just for you.” She then went on to specifically suggest that you find time for an hour of quiet contemplation and then an hour of productive writing.

While two one-hour blocks of time may be difficult to find each day, I enthusiastically support the general idea of setting aside time every day for quiet. And here’s why I say that:

Self-care is the root of your successful time management. It replenishes your energy and sharpens your focus.It reinforces your sense of your own power. You are in charge of your time choices, and you always have choices, no matter what. This helps overcome stress and feelings of victimization that can accompany overwhelm.Giving yourself the gift of time for quiet and contemplation gets your creative ideas flowing like water from its well-spring.

BONUS TIP: As I mentioned above, finding two one-hour blocks of time in your day won’t always be possible — at least not for most of us. So, one thing I’ve found very helpful in my own life is to “think small.”

You might try looking at your time in 15-minute increments. That way you’re less likely to set aside an activity (like spending quiet time) by telling yourself you just don’t have enough hours in the day. You can nearly always find 10 or 15-minutes.

And you know what? You’ll be amazed at how thinking in these smaller time increments can change things for you. Chunking tasks down into smaller timeframes makes them that-much-more possible, whether it’s a self-care activity or something on your to-do list, Smaller steps make it easier to start, and you can’t get anywhere until you do start — so “thinking 15” is an excellent addition to your time toolbox!